Manchester City defender John Stones managed to step up his injury recovery on England duty.
Pep Guardiola had one sure-fire way to avoid any unnecessary angst when England got down to business against Italy in their Euro 2024 qualifier at Wembley on Tuesday night.
It comes as no coincidence to see such a strong City flavour to this vibrant England side and the relative success they have had in reaching the latter stages in major international competitions together. History makers with City last season, the quintet would become sporting immortals if they help football come home next summer, but that six-decade-long dream can be saved for another time.
Watching the classy Stones come through 60 minutes for England unscathed was a major plus point for Guardiola during the international break. Often an unsung hero, the centre-back turned midfielder offered the treble-winners an unlikely X-factor last season with a surprise step into the engine room. Great news for City and Guardiola, but perhaps not so for Walker - his teammate for club and country. It was their newly-appointed captain who was sacrificed at crunch time last season when Guardiola entrusted Stones to move into midfield as he played Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake as a back-three.
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